7:00 pm

Headliner: James Francies Trio

James Francies is called “a pianist with liquid dynamism in his touch” by the New York Times, Francies started on piano around age 4, with classical training and an education in the music of the church. Blessed with perfect pitch and synesthesia (the ability to hear in colors), he attended his first jazz concert, by Houston-born piano legend Joe Sample, at age 6, and began studying jazz in junior high.

At 28, he’s played with jazz headliners like Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Stefon Harris, Eric Harland, and Terrace Martin, and racked up equally impressive credits in hip-hop and R&B: from shows with Ms. Lauryn Hill, José James, Common, and NAS, to studio time for Chance the Rapper’s Grammy-winning hit “No Problem,” Mark Ronson, Childish Gambino,

YEBBA, Drake, and Kodak Black, to appearances with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside his mentor and friend Questlove.

Opener: Kinder HSPVA Jazz Ensemble

Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts boasts the nation’s premier high school jazz program. Under the direction of James Westfall, jazz students study instrument technique, music theory, and jazz history. Jazz alumni include acclaimed musicians Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, James Francies, and Walter Smith III. Kinder HSPVA is a nationally recognized tuition-free HISD public school where students train daily in one of six art areas: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts.

About the Series

Jazzy Sundays in the Parks is a free concert series celebrating the vibrancy and rich tradition of jazz as well as the incredible Houstonians who preserve the artform.

The concerts will be held Sundays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Discovery Green; Sundays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26 at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park from 5-7 pm.

All concerts are free and family-friendly. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food and drink will be available for purchase. A pop-up market will be on site at each park with locally crafted items, food and wearables.

Jazzy Sundays, made possible by a grant from Kinder Foundation, is organized by Discovery Green Conservancy in collaboration with Emancipation Park Conservancy and Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

Emancipation Park will return to Jazzy Sunday in 2027.

KTSU is the official media sponsor of the 2026 Jazzy Sundays in the Parks series. Robert Hodge is this year’s commemorative poster artist.

More info at www.discoverygreen.com/jazzy

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